Nurse Residency Programs?

In my area, and this could be vastly different for you, all of the major hospitals offer nurse residency or new grad programs. Because of this it is actually kind of difficult to get hired as a new nurse without having gone through one of these programs. Many hospitals in my area require one plus year of experience, unless you are being hired through the new grad program.

I am graduating later this month, so I do not have experience participating in a new grad program, but I have done research on the subject. From what I have found in the literature, new grad programs seem to increase retention rates of new nurses, at least at the one year post hire mark, and also seem to increase feelings of social support, safety, and confidence during this time period.

All that I have seen in the literature supports the idea that new grad programs are beneficial for a wide variety of reasons. I would say that if there are programs like this in your area I would give them a close look and see what they have to offer.

Similar experience here (same state, different area). Both the major health care systems have new grad programs for nurses with less than a year of experience. Paid the same amount, but are required to do additional classes based on the unit you are assigned to, with a couple months of precepting from an experienced nurse on your unit until you're deemed safe enough to be on your own.

It doesn't help get you a job -- you already got the job, the new grad program just gives you preparation for doing it on your own once you've completed the specialized training required to succeed on the unit.

In my area most of the hospitals have extern programs where you work one shift per week starting in your last semester of school or in your last year of school. Many of them get hired onto those floors after graduation and have already been training for the floor before graduating so they are ready to hit the ground running at graduation time.

At my facility, you have no choice. When you are hired, either a new grad or with some experience, you must enroll in the residency program. If you have more than 2 years prior experience you only have to complete the skills and knowledge tests and you "graduate." If you need remediation or to brush up on skills then you are provided with the necessary learning. If it was a choice I would request entry into a residency program.

Mine was just called “the new grad program” back in 2003, but it WAS my job.